The milestone was highlighted at an industry forum themed “Co-Creating Financial Solutions for Nigeria’s Tourism, Arts and Creative Economy,” hosted by Sterling Bank at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The gathering brought together key players from finance, tourism, arts, and the wider creative ecosystem to explore how purpose-built financial solutions can unlock sustainable growth across these industries.
Founded by Nigerian music icon and entrepreneur Dapo “D’Banj” Oyebanjo, the C.R.E.A.M platform was presented as a creator-first, direct-to-fan ecosystem shaped by real-world experience within the creative industry. Speaking at the event, D’Banj explained that the platform was designed to tackle long-standing structural challenges that limit creators’ ability to monetise, scale, and sustain their work.
He noted that while Africa is rich in creative talent, access to structured and inclusive financial systems remains one of the biggest barriers facing artists and content creators. According to him, C.R.E.A.M was built by practitioners who understand these realities firsthand.
A major outcome of the partnership with Sterling Bank is the introduction of C.R.E.A.M Pay, a dedicated financial solution aimed at integrating creators into the formal banking system. The wallet, which comes with co-branded debit cards issued by C.R.E.A.M and Sterling Bank, allows creatives to receive, manage, and track income from multiple revenue streams in one place.
Through the platform, creators can earn directly from global streaming services such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and MTN Caller Ring Back Tunes, as well as Full Content Download — Africa’s first true direct-to-fan digital music purchase service, comparable to platforms like Apple Music and Amazon Music.
D’Banj described C.R.E.A.M Pay as a crucial bridge between creativity and finance, stressing that the solution gives creators control, structure, and dignity over their earnings while recognising intellectual property as a bankable asset. He added that the initiative addresses a long-standing imbalance where creatives generate significant economic value yet remain excluded from systems that support growth and long-term sustainability.
Beyond payments and banking access, discussions between C.R.E.A.M and Sterling Bank are also extending into sustainability within the creative economy. These conversations focus on how green energy solutions and innovative financing models can support creators through cleaner mobility options and renewable power over time.
One of the standout moments at the event was the unveiling of C.R.E.A.M platform’s decarbonisation initiative for the creative industry, developed in collaboration with Sterling Bank. The programme enables creatives to access electric vehicles and solar energy solutions through structured and convenient payment plans, following a valid application process on the platform. The initiative is designed to promote environmentally responsible operations while easing the financial burden of adopting clean energy solutions.
The practical impact of this initiative was demonstrated with the recognition of Nigerian entertainer Olufemi Oladapo Oke-Oko, popularly known as Slimcase, as its first beneficiary. Slimcase, a long-time collaborator with the platform and widely known for his hit song “Diet” featuring Tiwa Savage, was presented with an electric vehicle valued at over $50,000. The gesture marked a tangible step toward reducing carbon emissions within the creative sector while showing how sustainability can be integrated into everyday creative livelihoods.
In his response, Slimcase expressed gratitude to Sterling Bank and D’Banj for translating sustainability discussions into concrete action. He noted that access to cleaner mobility solutions and structured financial support is increasingly important for creatives navigating the demands of their careers. He was also unveiled at the event as a C.R.E.A.M platform ambassador, underscoring the platform’s commitment to partnering with culturally relevant creatives who remain closely connected to industry realities.
With Sterling Bank as a strategic financial partner, the C.R.E.A.M platform continues to strengthen the infrastructure supporting creators across music, film, arts, and digital content, while positioning itself for its next phase of growth across Nigeria and the African continent.
C.R.E.A.M (Creative Reality, Entertainment, Arts & Music) is a creator-focused ecosystem founded by Dapo “D’Banj” Oyebanjo to discover, empower, and monetise creative talent across Africa. Operating for over a decade, the platform provides access to monetisation pathways, financial tools, and industry opportunities through both web and USSD channels.